Use of a crystal growth inhibitor to reduce fabric abrasion

Abstract

There is provided the use of a crystal growth inhibitor for reducing the fabric abrasion occurring upon laundering treatment.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for reducing fabric abrasion, which comprises the steps of contacting the fabrics with a crystal growth inhibitor wherein said crystal inhibitor is selected from glycolic acid, phytic acid, oxydisuccinate, mellitic acid, succinic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, polymaleic acid, benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid, carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, ether hydroxypolycarboxylates, organic diphosphonic acid, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said carboxylic compound is glycolic acid. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said organo diphosphonic acid is hydroxy-ethane 1,1 diphosphonic acid. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said crystal growth inhibitor is incorporated into compositions at a level off than 10%. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 4 , wherein said crystal growth inhibitor is incorporated into compositions at a level from about 0.05% to about 0.25%. 
     
     
       6. A method according to  claim 4 , wherein said composition is selected from pre- or post wash additives, laundry compositions, rinsing compositions of a laundry process, rinse added fabric softener compositions, and dryer added compositions.